I posted last year about how much kids can change just from the beginning of the school year to the end. Thank goodness I’m not aging at all. But before I share those pictures I want to share a picture of our sweet neighbor who graduated this week.
Her graduation gave me great pause on just how quickly it all goes as this gorgeous lady was just about Eloise’s current age when we moved in here and I hired her to be my mother’s helper to my 2 year old so I could have some quality time with my newborn.
So what I’m saying is A. Time flies B. Eloise is evidently now for hire, and C. I still haven’t aged a bit.
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I’ve been avoiding writing about this school year because I don’t want to jinx my kids for next year…..because if I may just say it “THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER!!!!!!”
A few months ago someone asked my girls if they were looking forward to Summer. They both got very quiet and then Eloise kind of looked down with tears in her eyes and said that she didn’t want to talk about it. Esther told our friend “I wish school would go on forever.” Please let them think this way forever.
Eloise has been in a deep state of depression this weekend because school is over and she misses her teacher and classmates deeply. Eloise’s teacher this year was one of the teachers that she will tell her kids about. He’s made a huge impact on her – he’s pushed her to come out of her shell as well as nurtured her to stand-up for herself all the while knowing her sensitivities, her brilliance and her extreme kindness towards others. Mostly though, because of his incredibly warped sense of humor, he has taught her to FINALLY understand my humor and how to notice, appreciate and use sarcasm. Amen.
(can her legs get any skinnier?)
Watching nearly his entire classroom sob as they said good-bye to him on Friday is a testament to what a great teacher he is. I wish I had a picture of him from the first day of school when his hair was still down to the middle of his back. When he got his hair cut a few months ago we all yelled at him about it. But the Mr. Potato Head shirt kind of makes up for it.
I hope he likes us a lot as it’s my expectation that both Esther and Astrid will be in his 3rd grade classroom. Thank you Mr. P for being you. And being awesome.
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I was a little worried moving Esther to Eloise’s school this year. It’s a big school with some high expectations and while Eloise is my goal-oriented worker-bee, Esther is my dreamer, giggler, and artsy one.
(may she please still wear bows in her hair when she is 18. amen)
I need not worry though because the one thing that Esther will always find is someone to play with, someone to laugh with, and someone who needs a good friend. While 1st grade had it’s rocky bits as 1st grade usually does, it was a spectacular year. Esther had an amazing teacher who gives big hugs, high-fives, and smiles, while gently pushing the kids to work hard and find their amazing abilities. It doesn’t hurt that her teacher is also very funny, kind, has awesome taste in clothing and rides a motorcycle.
Esther fell deeply and madly in love with her and so did we. Thank you Ms. B for being awesome.
I need to note that our school has over 1000 students and both my kids teachers came to their dance recital last week. How cool is that? If I had the means I would’ve totally bought ponies for our teachers as end of school year gifts.
(Astrid grew hair!)
Teachers make such a profound impact on our kids that I am ever so thankful for teachers like these. Thank you thank you thank you.
Have you hugged a teacher today?
love seeing and reading how your children have grown and how their teachers have impacted their lives. Such a thoughtful tribute.
Robbie recently posted..SOC: Cagey
Astrid’s hair has grown a ton this year. Loved this post. You’re so lucky to have had two great teachers for your girls. That’s one of my favorite things about living in the same place forever–passing teachers down from child to child just like jeans.
jen recently posted..Foto Friday–Chopped!
I still remember so many of my teachers. They made such an impact on my young life.
I love this post, and your beautiful girls.
xo
Elaine recently posted..Vacation, all I ever wanted… & MEM
I had several teachers that really had an impact on me as I was growing up. I wish I knew then to thank them for what they did.
Kimberly recently posted..My Summer Bucket List
Aw, what a sweet tribute to these wonderful teachers. And your girls – gorgeous!
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Before, After AND After
Such a wonderful tribute! These early years are so important and having great experiences will last a lifetime. I love the before and after pictures.
This post makes me all sorts of excited about this Septemeber when my baby starts school. I won’t lie, I’ve cried many tears about it. My husband thinks I am being a giant pair of ovaries…
But I’m excited that your children ga fabulous teachers and I can only hope that my son has the same.
Tracy, this post really grabbed my heart because my two youngest are the same age as your two oldest. It’s as if they are still changing as much as when they were babies, but it’s not as noticeable day-to-day…just all of a sudden in photos. Thanks for sharing about their wonderful year.
Jessica recently posted..Wheat Harvest 2012 – A Pictorial Diary: A Salute to our Military
PS I never age either. Thank goodness.
I love the air of confidence that you see in Eloise in the “now & then” picture. Seriously – you know they’re the same person, but it does look like she walks around a bit differently.
And not just because her knees are knobbly.
And Ester sometimes looks impossibly old for a 1st grader. I think it might be because she smiles so much that it’s a completely natural thing.
Good thing that you’ve stopped aging because I’m guessing it’s a whole lot of energy to keep up after them.
John recently posted..Where I like my kids
Your girls are so pretty and that Mr. Potato Head teacher looks awesome. Two of my kids have cried at the end of school because they were so sad to not have that teacher ever again. Good teachers rock!
Rachelle recently posted..Early June Blooms
Astrid’s face in the September ’11 photo has made my damn day.
Oh we so need to get all of our kids together(and us too). xo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..One Year
I love how you support your kids’ teachers. And your girls look freakin’ beautiful.
I seriously adore your girls, the recitals, the costumes the THEN/NOW photos, every single photo a true testament to how amazing they are.
I love that they (and you ) adored their teachers. I know that if we needed to say goodbye to the teachers at their school/daycare right now, I’d be a mushy mess. Next year is going to be really hard for me. Like my senior year, one long GOODBYE.
I’m so glad they had such a fantastic year and that they are looking forward to a great summer. I can’t wait to see what you have in store to share with us.
xo
Kir recently posted..Just Be Enough: Love is My Answer
Cady has loved her teachers from both years and sometimes cries and says she misses them, but she gets very attached to people. I’m waiting for her to have that break through year where she really gets excited about learning. I think that is just such an amazing thing.
Jennifer recently posted..Project 365, Week 23
How I love to read the impact of a good teacher on a child! Love it! Love it! LOVE IT!! I’m so glad your girls had such good experiences this year! As always, they are stunning just like their mommy!
Hopes@StayingAfloat! recently posted..Sunday Sweetness ~ That Smile
Eloise is like a fawn…the legs on that girl….
Not a Perfect Mom recently posted..Danze Faucet Review and a Father’s Day Shower Head Giveaway!
I call her my baby giraffe. So far she’s not annoyed by it. lol
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..One Year
They’ve all three grown so much this year!
Being both the daughter and the wife of excellent educators, I just have to thank you on behalf of both of them for this heartfelt post. You have no idea how much teachers love this stuff. Please consider printing two copies of it and sending them to Esther and Eloise’s awesome teachers this year. I bet it would make their day.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..The Unattainable
You make me cry.
I kind of love that they love school so much they are sad it’s over
angela recently posted..In My Corner
You make me almost miss the classroom.